Wayne County Register of Deeds Bernard J. Youngblood could challenge Robert Ficano in 2014

Jan. 3, 2013

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Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano doesn't face voters for another 20 months, but some potential competitors may be ready to test the waters.

Register of Deeds Bernard J. Youngblood, who lost to Ficano for the county's top post in 2002, said Thursday that he's considering a run for county executive in 2014.

"There have been some businesspeople in the area that have recognized the trust associated with my office," Youngblood said. "They've asked if I would consider it. It might be premature to say I'm forming an exploratory committee, but it's an interesting thought."

Ficano, who has been in county politics for more than 30 years, has been mired in scandal for more than a year for approving a $200,000 severance package for his former chief development officer, Turkia Awada Mullin. Ficano initially defended the decision, saying it was part of her contract, but later called it a mistake and demanded repayment.

Ficano hasn't said whether he'll run again, though his former top fund-raiser, Nader Fakhouri, testified in a lawsuit deposition last month that he worked for Ficano over the summer on ways to improve his standing among voters.

Youngblood has been register of deeds for 12 years, and his family name runs deep in Wayne County. His great-grandfather, Bernard J. Youngblood, was elected county treasurer in 1882.

Political consultant Steve Hood said Youngblood hasn't won in competitive races before, and it's hard to go from a lesser-known office, like register of deeds, to the county's top job.

"There's an exponential difference in the money you need to raise," Hood said, adding that Prosecutor Kym Worthy is probably the strongest current county official who could challenge Ficano.

Worthy has given no indication that she's eying the executive office.

Kevin McNamara, whose father, Edward McNamara, served as county executive for 15 years, also is frequently mentioned as a potential candidate.

"It's way too early," McNamara said. "You don't even know who the field is going to be."